It sits in the glass in a great dark purple colour. The colour of grape juice! Very well balanced, super smooth. The nose begins quite earthy and herbally with underlying fruitiness. On the palate it's intense and finishes with a long and pleasant cocoa note. The longer it breathes, the more complex it becomes -- the earthy herbally goodness comes out nicely.

Enjoyed with braised and grilled beef. Tasted January 2012.

At first it tasted like a rather ordinary Rhone, but either it grew on me, or else more time in the carafe helped. Maybe it really does need more time to be fully integrated.